I was quickening my pace each step I took. I could hear them getting closer and closer...
My heart was beating frantically, feeling it almost come out of my chest.
Suddenly I felt a tight grasp on my right shoulder. I froze.
It was getting harder to breathe and my chest felt so tight.
"Keren." I heard a familiar deep voice call out from behind.
I was confused.
I turned around to see who it was from.
But suddenly I woke up.
"What?" I rub my eyes.
I make a face in front of my wardrobe mirror.
"Gosh I look like a living corpse."
That was a strange dream.
I hear my phone ring on the nightstand.
Unknown Caller
Now I was really confused.
I got out of bed and realized today is the day I have to work on my assignment.
...With Harry.
I sigh as I get out of my bed.
I go to my bathroom to wash up and start removing my clothes.
I touch the warm water with one finger, then my hand, then my forearm. Then my whole body emerged into the waterfall. I didn't want to leave. The fog was covering up the mirror and the whole room.
—————————————————————
I take a step out of the shower and immediately get hit with the cold air.
Then I hear a knock at the door.
I quickly throw on a hoodie and sweats and run downstairs.
I turn the door knob and to my surprise, there was no one there.
"Huh?"
I peer down to see a little note with a red stamp on the middle. I pick up the object and close the door behind me.
To Keren Ntumba
"It doesn't say who it's from." I speak to myself.
I tear the paper apart and search for the note.
Hi Keren,
It's Harry.
I'm writing this because you didn't answer your phone calls and you probably blocked me, so I just sent you a note.
I want you to come over at 12.30.
Harry.
I scoff.
What a weirdo.
I check the time on my phone and see it was 11.29 AM.
Okay, I have an hour to get ready.
I run upstairs into my closet and pick out a crop top with a tie at the back of my neck and flared jeans.
I look into the mirror.
"Cute." I say while turning around.
I dab a bit of lip tint onto my lips and cheeks, then put mascara onto my lashes.
Then to top it off, I slid plenty of gloss onto my lips.
Perfect.
———————————————————————
The time was 12.19 PM.
I stuff all the sheets of paper into a bag and hang it over my shoulder.
Time to meet the devil himself.
I arrived at the street he had given me before I blocked him. I hear the bus' engine roar behind me and I looked at it drive away until it was just a speck.
I inhale a lot of air and press the doorbell.
I thought I would be standing there for about a life time but to my surprise, he opened the door as soon as I let go of the doorbell.
It startled me.
I come face to face to the familiar face I see 5 times a week for 8 hours.
I break the silence,
"Um, can I come in?"
I dart my eyes to the side.
"Mhm." He mumbled.
I walk inside.
I thought his house would have trash on the floor, dirty dishes in the sink, food crumbs on the table, but it was actually pretty clean.
We go into his room and I was taken aback by it.
Posters of singers, A vinyl that looks pretty expensive, a drum set, a guitar and an electric guitar.
This guy must really like music.
I sit down on the floor and he does the same.
While I was getting the papers out of my bag, I felt a pair of eyes staring at me.
I look back and cough.
"Uh, you can start with this one and I'll do the other."
He lets his stare linger on me before he had to look at the papers I gave him.
It's been 15 minutes of silence and of course I had to break it by asking where his bathroom was.
"It's just on the right." He mutters with his eyes fixed on the paper.
I get up and try not to step on his fingers.
On the right, On the right, On the right.
I repeatedly said to myself so I don't get lost.
I walk inside and do whatever I had to do.
—————————————————————-
I yawn.
I check my phone and see the time.
9:47 PM.
How long have I been at his house?!
"Oh, I need to start heading home." I quietly say.
"Sure."
I collect my sheets and take my bag, heading to his front door.
Not even a goodbye. What a selfish cunt.
As I walk home, I remember the dream that occurred. I shiver from the thought of it.
The walk home was peaceful and quiet, the only sounds that occurred were the crickets chirping now and then.
I heard rustling from the bushes right behind me.
I shook it off, thinking it was maybe a stray cat or something, but the sound would occasionally stop too when I did and it was kind of scaring me.
I walked faster and faster and now the rustling has turned into footsteps.
I panicked.
By now, my pace was as fast as my heartbeat, and it was very fast.
I tried to hold back the tears I didn't know were building up in my eyes.
Just as I was about to finish my final turn, I felt a strong grasp on my right shoulder.
"Keren."
I heard a familiar voice call out from behind.
I turn around,
"Harry?"
"You forgot your pencil."
He said, handing me my pencil. I noticed in the far corner of my eye that a man had walked off, his hands in his long coat pockets and his head down.
I got goosebumps.
"Oh, thank you."
I reply, not letting my eyes leave the man.
I walked off, being more careful of my surroundings this time.
I thank Harry mentally, acting like he'll know through telepathy.
What would happen to me if Harry didn't come in time?
Then I remember my dream for another time. Was it a warning sign? My thoughts were all over the place.
I'm lucky he saved me.
